THE RICH YOUNG RULER

 

Today I must address the issue of riches. It is not a sin to be rich. We know many important persons in the Scriptures were very rich. But at times riches owes the person, and that is sin, as this rich young ruler who came to Yehoshua.

Let us listen to the Scriptures now.

Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, That is, Elohim. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to Him, “Which ones?” Yehoshua said, “You shall not murder, ‘ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ Honor your father and your mother,’ and ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” Yehoshua said to him, If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”- Mattithyahu/Matthew 19:16-21

But when the young ruler heard these saying, he went, away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (v.22)

I notice first of all that Yehovah did not mentioned greed or fear of lack, or any other sin.

But what this rich ruler lacked was trust in Yehovah to provide for his needs. He relied on his riches to keep him, but lost on the great privilege of following Yehoshua in ministry and become a great evangelist, or pastor. He chose the riches above the Kingdom of Yehovah.

After this man left Yehoshua turned to his disciples to give them a spiritual lesson.

Then Yehoshua said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Elohim.” -Mattithyahu/Matthew 19:23

Of course the apostles wondered who would be able to go to Heaven. I believe most of them as fisherman and a tax-collector, had a lot of wealth. They chose to follow Him and Yehoshua would greatly reward them.

So Yehoshua said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first. - Mattithyahu/Matthew 19:28-30

Riches can be a blessing or a curse, depending on who has them. You can be rich and miserable, if this is all you have. And you can be the poorest person on this planet and be rich spiritually.

Yehovah has given a choice either to receive and be born again, and receive eternal life, or reject His offer and follow after the worldly attractions and be poor spiritually, and when you die, you will not enter the place He would have prepared for you.

I suggest that you do not act as the rich man in this message. But that you seek the kingdom of Heaven first, and all the rest will also be given you.

Choose to day whom you will serve.

Choose life.

Yehovah left the luxury of Heaven to become man, as one of us. And He did this to take the punishment that belong to us. Our sin earned death and complete separation from our Creator. He has given His word to follow. He wants to be known by us. His love is forever and He wants all of us to come into His kingdom.

But He has given a free will. Therefore He will not make us obey Him. But because He is holy, he also expects us to freely choose to be holy.

But our sin has to be removed from us, or we cannot be holy. Yehoshua has done this for us. He died and rose again, to purchase our salvation. Will you today accept His offer of salvation and repent of your sin, and ask the Father to forgive you?

Do it now, and you will enter in to Eternal life. Your life will be saved from the enemy of your soul. You will experience His peace, love and joy. And when trials come, you know where to go for help. Yehovah and Yehoshua will be there for you. He will never leave nor forsake you. Remember that Yehovah is One Being, but in three persons. The Father Yehovah, the Son Yehoshua, and the Ruach haQodesh/Holy Spirit who comes in you when you repent of your sin, and believe in Yehoshua.

Do it now, do not delay for your life is in His hands. You have no knowledge how long you will be here on this planet. He could call you in the next moment. Call on Him now and be saved. He is waiting on you.

Shalom